Link 2-EX Cabinet Style Pianofrom the Westman Collection

About These Archive CD RecordingsDisc 1: Recorded in 1971 by Tim WestmanDisc 2: Recorded in May of 1975 by Tim Westman

Shown at the right is a catalogue illustration of a Link 2-E cabinet piano, which is similar to the Link featured on these archive CD's, the difference being that this machine features orchestra bells as the third instrument, instead of the more commonly installed xylophone. This particular Link was once a route piano that was, over the years, located in at least two small Wisconsin towns, eventually winding up in Milwaukee, where it was bought in 1970 by the late Ed Freyer, a well known automatic musical instrument enthusiast who lived in Flemington, New Jersey. Ed sold the Link piano to Tim Westman later in 1970, whereupon Tim began restoration of the Link for his own personal collection. Then, with a set of Link orchestra bells furnished by Ed Freyer, and a Link xylophone/bell action purchased from Max Pulsifer, Norway, Maine, replacing the missing third instrument (xylophone or bells), the Link was mechanically complete once again.

According to a handwritten inventory card (which was extremely brown with age) this Link was once owned by:

It is possible that Ed Freyer bought the Link from whatever remained of Edmund Gram Pianos, Inc. But whatever the case, Tim Westman bought it from Ed Freyer for $1,000.00 later the same year, a price that included a set of original Link orchestra bells that Ed had obtained from some other source. The bells fit right in, having the proper mounting hardware, etc., but were missing the striker action. Westman purchased a Link pneumatic beater kit from Max Pulsifer, Norway, Maine, to complete the instrument.

It appears that all Link Pianos had a manufacturing date written on the underside of the pump manifold, which in the case of this particular machine is July 8, 1926. Made in Binghamton, New York, far from the major automatic music manufacturing centers of North Tonawanda, New York, and Chicago, Illinois, Link machines are a little different than many of the other major brands of coin pianos in that they utilized an endless multi-tune paper music roll. Perhaps looking like a hopeless tangle, the music serpentines its way around in a special horizontal bin that stretches the entire width of the piano. Another unique characteristic of Link machines is the generally superb styling and arrangement of Link music, which is treasured by many aficionados. Moreover, all Link rolls contain the usual loud and soft pedal expression, while a limited number of rolls made during the late 1920's are perforated with the special coding necessary to operate an elaborate expression system incorporated into certain late model Link machines, such as the music featured on this CD.

The instrumentation of this Link includes a piano with a mandolin attachment (along with the late style expression mechanism), and a set of orchestra bells. Playing the style RX Link music roll, the selection of music is of popular tunes from the 1920's. The analog tape recordings used to create these CD's were made by Tim Westman in 1971 (for disc #1) and in May of 1975 (for disc #2). Only very minor noise reduction technology was used in the preparation of this CD, mainly to eliminate tape hiss from the old source recordings, as well as mechanical rumble due to pump noise in the Link piano itself. Anyone who loves the lively tone of Link music arrangements will undoubtedly enjoy the wide selection of melodies and rhythms on this CD, making it a worthwhile addition to any music collection. Moreover, this collection of tunes will surely demonstrate why Link coin-in-the-slot pianos were so popular in the heyday of automatic music.